M.A.C Viva Glam 2012

Known for speaking out for what they believe in, this year Nicki and Ricky are working with VIVA GLAM to ask young people one simple thing: help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. That's right folks, the outrageously bold Nicki Minaj and oh-so-handsome Ricky Martin have joined forces with world leading cosmetics brand, M.A.C to bring us yet another year of Viva Glam. Plus with Mr David La Chapelle on board to bring you these amazing campaign shots, it is bond to be a successful venture. Each year the celebrity line-up gets bigger and better but with Lady Gaga as their 2011 spokesperson, who would have thought that it could get any better?

Scary fact: Only 40 percent of adolescents have accurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS and how it spreads. Ricky Martin, Nicki Minaj and the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund want young people everywhere to know the facts and recognize that they can help end this dangerous epidemic.

How: Urgingyoung people to protect themselves and their partners, and gain access to treatment and prevention programs where needed.

VIVA GLAM 2012: Will focus particularly on Latin America and the Caribbean because the cold, hard facts show that at the end of 2008 in Latin America two million people were living with the disease. The Caribbean is the second most affected region in the world with young people aged 15-24 accounting for around half of all new infections which is awful.

Nicki Minaj is thrilled to be a spokesperson for the cause saying, " I am honoured to be part of this movement with the M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM campaign. Awareness leads to education, education leads to empowerment and empowerment leads to change.

Latino hottie Ricky Martin is just as passionate about the cause tell media, “With education, effective medications and testing tools available, young people should have the facts they need to prevent new infections and access to treatment if they are HIV positive. We need to work together to make knowledge the number one weapon in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

To date M.A.C Aids Fund has raised a whopping $224 million USD for the cause and their goal is to reach $250 million in 2012. This year is all about VIVA GLAM Lipstick in Nicki, a bright yellow pink that is almost as bold as Ms. Minaj while men can wear Ricky's colourless Lip Conditioner tube. Read up on the fund here.